Rearcher physician Dr. Eugenia South of University of Pennsylvania found that green space can have an impact on mental health, particularly important for people living in poorer neighborhoods. Even for the ordinary folks who are impacted by the daily stress in the society evidenced to have theraptic function.
The downtrodden people of Israel and Judah found fresh hope in the prophet Isaiah’s vision of their beautiful restoration by God. Amid all the doom and gloom judgment that Isaiah foretold, this bright promise would prevail: “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.” (Isiah 35:1-2) No matter what our situation we are in today, we too can rejoice in the beautiful ways our heavenly Father restores us with fresh hope, including through His creation. When we feel down, reflecting on His glory and splendor will reinforce us. “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way,” Isaiah encouraged (v. 3). A prophet said a few flowers can rekindle our hope. So does our hope-giving God.